Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Illustrated Edition

Author: Luo Guanzhong (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs held absolute power, and the warlords fought for control over the Central Plains. Through a series of intense power struggles, strategies, military conflicts, and battles for the hearts and minds of the people, as predicted by Zhuge Liang the (Sleeping Dragon), the situation eventually evolved into a three-way division, with the Eastern Han descendant Liu Bei's Shu, Sun Quan's Wu in Jiangdong, and Cao Cao's Wei, who claimed the title of "Son of Heaven" to dominate the states. However, the struggle did not end. The three factions—Wei, Shu, and Wu—continued to preserve their strength while attempting to eliminate the other two to unify the empire. In times of chaos, heroes emerge, but ultimately, they are washed away by the waves of history, and all glory fades. Only the heroic deeds that are worth singing and lamenting remain for future generations to admire. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is an outstanding historical novel created based on the historical facts and folk legends of the Three Kingdoms period. Its content is rich and varied, offering readers profound and diverse insights. The story begins with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei's sworn brotherhood in the Peach Garden during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, describing the major historical events of the late Eastern Han and the Three Kingdoms period over nearly a century, as well as numerous heroic figures who shook the world. Through vivid and moving stories, the author reveals the darkness and corruption within the feudal ruling class, condemning the cruelty and vileness of the rulers.
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, warlords fought for dominance. The so-called "Eighteen Kingdoms" alliance led a campaign against Dong Zhuo under the banner of "supporting the imperial family and saving the people," but in reality, they engaged in intrigue and deceit, each harboring their own ambitions to become kings. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is an illustrated edition of "China's Four Great Classical Novels," depicting more than a hundred years of history from Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty to Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty. With broad and sweeping strokes, it portrays the rise and fall, conflicts, and struggles among Wei, Shu, and Wu, serving as a model of historical romance. Among ancient Chinese novels, if one were to choose the most popular and well-known work, Romance of the Three Kingdoms would undoubtedly be the top choice. Indeed, from any perspective, this historical romance, compiled by scholars based on historical facts and folk legends, is the most influential long novel among all works.